Shouldn't Laugh But...Laura Smyth & Carmen Butcher

Global Player Originals
Global Player Originals
  • 5.0 (2)
  • Comedy
  • Updated Semiweekly

Every week best mates Laura Smyth and Carmen Butcher dive headfirst into the daft, the ridiculous, and the gloriously dumb - from their own personal disasters to the wildest, most unhinged things the internet (and the world) throws at us. So if you love side-eyeing the news, wild viral moments, finding comfort in other people’s weird choices, and laughing when maybe you shouldn’t… this is the podcast for you! | Email us your ‘Shouldn’t Laugh But...’ Moments! lauraandcarmen@global.com Follow Shouldn’t Laugh But on all social platforms: @shouldntlaughpod Laura Smyth - @thatlaurasmyth Carmen Butcher - @carmenshouldntlaugh Shouldn't Laugh But... is a Global Production Listen every Tuesday & Friday or watch us on Global Player, YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts. For advertising opportunities on this podcast, email: GlobalStudiosSales@global.com

  1. 2d ago

    We Need to Talk About Usher! & Are Disney Adults an Ick?

    Laura and Carmen get stuck into Usher and Chris Brown’s R&B Tour - from cherry-feeding and very erotic dancing, to the fans being pulled on stage when they absolutely did not ask to become part of the show. Is it harmless fun, or has their on-stage seduction gone too far? Elsewhere, the debate over Disney Adults takes centre stage as the girls discuss the Peter Pan superfan, the strange world of parasocial relationships, and exactly where the line is between innocent escapism and making an actor in tights dread coming into work. Plus, Elton John’s kneecap jewellery gets the girls talking about the strange bodily keepsakes people hold on to - cue Laura’s story involving a preserved umbilical cord and her mum’s dog Mitzi. Win two tickets to Laura Smyth’s Born Aggy Tour! Follow Shouldn’t Laugh But on your podcast platform of choice, then email a screenshot showing you’ve followed to lauraandcarmen@global.com for the chance to win two tickets to a tour date of your choice. You must be aged 18 or over to enter. Entries close at 23:59 on Monday 31 August 2026. Full Terms & Conditions: https://winplus.globalplayer.com/terms-and-conditions/12841 Follow Shouldn’t Laugh But on all social platforms: @shouldntlaughpod Laura - @thatlaurasmyth Carmen - @carmenshouldntlaugh Shouldn’t Laugh But… is a Global Production Listen every Tuesday & Friday or watch us on Global Player, YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts

    We Need to Talk About Usher! & Are Disney Adults an Ick?

  2. 6d ago

    Akon Did What for $1M?! & Berghain’s Most Unexpected Queue Member

    Laura and Carmen unpack Akon’s wild story about being paid millions to perform Lonely on repeat for three people - and debate exactly what they would (and wouldn’t) do for a life-changing pay cheque. Elsewhere, Carmen shares her dream of a surprise Vengaboys-style wedding performance, Laura reminisces about Omar singing live at a friend’s first dance, and the pair discuss Berlin’s ultra-exclusive Berghain - including the little old lady who accidentally joined the queue with her hiking poles. Plus, Laura’s Devon holiday, Carmen’s sweaty London heatwave survival, an apology to James Nesbitt and John Hannah, and a listener story involving a pigeon, an unfortunate splat and true romantic resilience. Follow Shouldn’t Laugh But on all social platforms: @shouldntlaughpod Laura - @thatlaurasmyth Carmen - @carmenshouldntlaugh Shouldn’t Laugh But… is a Global Production Listen every Tuesday & Friday or watch us on Global Player, YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts

    Akon Did What for $1M?! & Berghain’s Most Unexpected Queue Member

  3. Aug 11

    A$AP Rocky’s DM, The 1975 Birth Playlist Drama & Brooklyn Beckham’s Anniversary

    Laura and Carmen unpack the viral video of a woman demanding The 1975 be skipped from her birth playlist - plus Matty Healy and Gabriette’s perfect reaction. Laura shares the unexpected soundtrack to her own labour, while the girls decide which songs they’d want to be born to. Elsewhere, Brooklyn Beckham and Nicola Peltz’s anniversary plans reignite the Beckham family-feud chat, Carmen gives a wedding-planning update, and the pair discuss why sharing a private DM from A$AP Rocky is never the one. Plus, Laura’s family getaway in the Austrian Alps, a very handsome John Hannah on Sunday Brunch, and Carmen’s Budapest break - where a vintage cap intended to protect her scalp somehow cost her £60 and changed her whole personality. Win two tickets to Laura Smyth’s Born Aggy Tour! Follow Shouldn’t Laugh But on your podcast platform of choice, then email a screenshot showing you’ve followed to lauraandcarmen@global.com for the chance to win two tickets to a tour date of your choice. You must be aged 18 or over to enter. Entries close at 23:59 on Monday 31 August 2026. Full Terms & Conditions: Global WIN | Great Prizes. Real Winners. Follow Shouldn’t Laugh But on all social platforms: @shouldntlaughpod Laura - @thatlaurasmyth Carmen - @carmenshouldntlaugh Shouldn’t Laugh But… is a Global Production Listen every Tuesday & Friday or watch us on Global Player, YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts

    A$AP Rocky’s DM, The 1975 Birth Playlist Drama & Brooklyn Beckham’s Anniversary

  4. Aug 7

    Inside The Flight From Hell - 200 Terrified Passengers | with Jake Bhardwaj

    Comedy creator, writer, actor, producer, and self-appointed professional comedy quizmaster Jake Bhardwaj joins Laura and Carmen for an episode packed with internet chaos, traumatic flights and some truly outrageous stories... Jake reveals what happened when he joined a fear-of-flying course and the moment he had to board a plane with 200 other terrified passengers. Think screaming, aisle-length toilet queues, a man repeatedly hitting his own head and one very ambitious holiday plan to Barbados. Elsewhere, they discuss the danger of heckling from a car, why no adult should have Blu-Tacked posters after university, and why mum’s are the funniest people. They also chat about writing questions for The Chase, the art of making Bradley Walsh laugh, Jake’s journey into Saturday Night Live UK, and his huge Fringe night out, Not Another Quiz Night. Find out more about Jake Bhardwaj’s Not Another Quiz Night here Follow Shouldn’t Laugh But on all social platforms: @shouldntlaughpod Laura - @thatlaurasmyth Carmen - @carmenshouldntlaugh Shouldn’t Laugh But… is a Global Production Listen every Tuesday & Friday or watch us on Global Player, YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts

    Inside The Flight From Hell - 200 Terrified Passengers | with Jake Bhardwaj

  5. Aug 4

    Secret Lives of Gypsy Wives, the Furys’ Tiny CEO & Big Mo’s Reebok Era

    Laura and Carmen are completely obsessed with Secret Lives of Gypsy Wives! From Trewley Precious, Pearly Girl and Honey Peaches, to car boots, hustling, sisterhood and giving back to the estate - the girls unpack why Channel 4’s new series has far more heart than its title suggests. Elsewhere, they discuss eight-year-old Valencia Fury launching a make-up line, the increasingly strange world of children’s skincare, and why an AI photo of your partner snogging someone else could quite reasonably lead to an AI divorce. Plus, Laila Morse (AKA Big Mo) becomes Madame Creps in an iconic Reebok campaign, Laura’s son Alfred melts a dad’s heart at an end-of-term picnic, and a listener’s WHOOP detects what may have been a very private, post-football “late-night yoga” session. Follow Shouldn’t Laugh But on all social platforms: @shouldntlaughpod Laura - @thatlaurasmyth Carmen - @carmenshouldntlaugh Shouldn’t Laugh But… is a Global Production Listen every Tuesday & Friday or watch us on Global Player, YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts

    Secret Lives of Gypsy Wives, the Furys’ Tiny CEO & Big Mo’s Reebok Era

  6. Jul 31

    Getting Pooed On At Thorpe Park & The Most Chaotic Funeral Ever | with Nina Conti

    Laura and Carmen are joined by comedian, ventriloquist and all-round comedy genius Nina Conti. The three of them dive into the funniest corners of the internet, from legendary local news bloopers and Katharine Hepburn's savage interviews, to women climbing through windows, council estate gender reveals and so many more online clips that never stop making them laugh. Plus, Nina shares the unbelievable story of being spectacularly pooed on at Thorpe Park in front of her teenage son and the utterly chaotic memorial where someone flipped open a coffin lid mid-funeral service. They also chat about creating her film Sunlight, falling in love while dressed as a monkey, the freedom that comes with hiding behind a mask, her upcoming Taskmaster appearance, and why she's happier embracing the ridiculous than ever trying to be the sensible one. Oh, and if you've ever had to wipe bird poo out of your eye with Greggs napkins... this is the episode for you. Find out more about Nina’s C*nti’s Cabaret here Follow Shouldn’t Laugh But on all social platforms: @shouldntlaughpod Laura - @thatlaurasmyth Carmen - @carmenshouldntlaugh Shouldn’t Laugh But… is a Global Production Listen every Tuesday & Friday or watch us on Global Player, YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts

    Getting Pooed On At Thorpe Park & The Most Chaotic Funeral Ever | with Nina Conti

  7. Jul 28

    Christopher Nolan Banned UGGs?! & Matt Damon’s Aged Like Fine Wine

    This week, Laura and Carmen are chatting all things The Odyssey. From 10:00 AM popcorn and strategically timing a wee during a three-hour epic, to Greek monsters, Travis Scott opening the film, falling for Matt Damon all over again and finding Anne Hathaway mesmerising. The girls also get into Christopher Nolan banning UGGs, his refusal to use a smartphone or email, and take bets on what food was on offer on set. Elsewhere, Laura and Carmen unpack the perils of group holidays as Laura prepares to head to the Austrian Alps with 12 families. Expect hard-won advice on letting the planners plan, escaping for a “shower”, forming strategic subgroups, finding the one person who also thinks someone’s annoying, and never splitting a bill equally when one family has been on the steak, prawns and Hugo cocktails. Plus, Carmen celebrates Pancake Rhiannon’s 40th, dreams she and Vogue Williams are podcasting equals, and watches her him indoors fall head over heels in a new bromance. Meanwhile, Laura enjoys a rare kid-free weekend, opens a gig for Kevin Bridges and realises the ghost leaving every cupboard door open in her house is, unfortunately, herself. Follow Shouldn’t Laugh But on all social platforms: @shouldntlaughpod Laura - @thatlaurasmyth Carmen - @carmenshouldntlaugh Shouldn’t Laugh But… is a Global Production Listen every Tuesday & Friday or watch us on Global Player, YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts

    Christopher Nolan Banned UGGs?! & Matt Damon’s Aged Like Fine Wine

  8. Jul 24

    Keir Starmer’s Fast & Furious Exit, Taco Bell Disaster & The Diet Coke Cure

    Laura and Carmen are buzzing after Laura’s Off Menu appearance and naturally manifesting the world’s most expensive bottle of wine… cough cough… hello Fortnum and Mason! They chat Keir Starmer’s bizarre Fast & Furious-style TikTok exit. Is it an iconic rebrand, or has someone let the social media team run wild? They also get into Mel C’s gorgeous wedding, Victoria Beckham making the dress from afar, and the alarming realisation that Spice Girl children are somehow now 17. Plus, Laura and Carmen dissect Taco Bell’s explosive lettuce drama and the utterly wild story of doctors using Diet Coke to help cure stomach pain. A medical miracle? A PR stunt? Either way, Carmen’s ready to stock the fridge. Last but not least, fellow butthead Jessie shares a encounter that starts as a simple good deed and ends in a professional mug-off and arguably the best tenner ever spent. Follow Shouldn’t Laugh But on all social platforms: @shouldntlaughpod Laura - @thatlaurasmyth Carmen - @carmenshouldntlaugh Shouldn’t Laugh But… is a Global Production Listen every Tuesday & Friday or watch us on Global Player, YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts

    Keir Starmer’s Fast & Furious Exit, Taco Bell Disaster & The Diet Coke Cure
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5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

Every week best mates Laura Smyth and Carmen Butcher dive headfirst into the daft, the ridiculous, and the gloriously dumb - from their own personal disasters to the wildest, most unhinged things the internet (and the world) throws at us. So if you love side-eyeing the news, wild viral moments, finding comfort in other people’s weird choices, and laughing when maybe you shouldn’t… this is the podcast for you! | Email us your ‘Shouldn’t Laugh But...’ Moments! lauraandcarmen@global.com Follow Shouldn’t Laugh But on all social platforms: @shouldntlaughpod Laura Smyth - @thatlaurasmyth Carmen Butcher - @carmenshouldntlaugh Shouldn't Laugh But... is a Global Production Listen every Tuesday & Friday or watch us on Global Player, YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts. For advertising opportunities on this podcast, email: GlobalStudiosSales@global.com

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